Do it now

That's been my mantra for the year so far. I think I read it in The Happiness Project or some other similar book. As soon as I did I realized that would be my main focus and resolution for the year. Hoping to break my bad habits of procrastination and then frustration that I couldn't accomplish the things I wanted to, despite being certain I could find the time if I tried, this statement has carried the day.

Do it now.

Nothing complicated, just direct. To the point so there's no room for excuses. Laundry piled up? Do it now. Dishes? Same. Before bed. Annoyed about cleaning the shower? Set the timer for 10 minutes and be done with it. Emails to catch up on? 20 minutes, and oh, wow, inbox 2. Or ideally zero but that's perhaps a bit too wishful. New recipe to try at home after work? An hour or two later it's in my belly (or neatly stacked in the fridge for lunch). Great feeling.

The results? Well, a cleaner home for one. But since this mantra works for any task or thing you would rather put off, it essentially guarantees success. Even if you can't complete something in one sitting, by just telling yourself to do it now and get things started means that the next time you give it your attention you'll be that much further along and before you know it - done.

The one thing I never find myself saying (in my head, mind you) is that I really wish I spent more time putzing around online. I never tell myself, better read some more nonsense blogs or kill a few moments on Facebook. And when I say, "do it now" to get something of real value accomplished, I'm far more apt to shut the screen and be productive. But for the rare "long read" that sits in my browser for too many days despite being something of true interest that could expand my knowledge on some important topic - it works too.

Who'd have thought it would be so simple? Not me.

How did I do?

Thinking about resolution, which I know can seem trite - why should we only focus on doing well and good in the beginning of a year? But I adore the possibility of a fresh start. And it seems as though I'm making it happen, too, this year at least. I have been knocking things off my to-dos and addressing lingering tasks at home and work (despite the cold virus that has a firm grasp on my head and lungs). But how did I do with last year's resolutions? Before I commit new ones to paper, er, keyboard, I want to check back and see if I can resurrect some old goals...

• Big commitment to less food waste and better meal planning and frequent cooking. This is something I got started on last year but need to step it up, both for my diet, my life (crazy w/ school sometimes) and my budget. I guess I did better with this one, but that's mostly because I was cooking for two a lot of the time again, and boys are really good at eating leftovers. But we made a concerted effort, and we're stepping into the realm of meal-planning, etc. to buckle down even more.
• Cook at least one recipe out of every cookbook on my shelf or it goes in the Goodwill pile. I don't have a ton, but I know some are just collecting dust and there's nothing I love better than simplifying my "stuff". Less is more. I decidedly did NOT do this. I thought about it. I mentioned it. I accumulated more cookbooks. I'd like to try this again. Especially now that I'm feeling more and more comfortable in the kitchen.
• Continue focusing on my mental well-being and just be a more calm, rational, thoughtful person and friend. Oh yes, I definitely did this. And I continue to do so. This is a resolution that should always be in place.
• Conquer my budget once and for all - find a balance and get there, without falling back into the awful cycle of paying off credit cards then racking them up again. This could be tricky with some recent life developments, but I'm serious about it now. 30 has me REALLY ready to drop the plastic and start saving for a house. Well now, I can honestly say I have conquered this goal. Not only did I find an amazing budget that works really well and has helped changed my spending habits and given me the perspective on balance that I craved, but I paid off my credit cards for good and this month I will start my down payment savings account! What a great feeling.
• Stay in touch with people I love and do a better job with birthdays, sending cards, etc. I'm not a huge celebrator but I know it's very important to let others know you remembered them on their day and I want to do this. I need to get a stash of cards, write up dates on my calendar and stay on top of things. I did a bit better at this, and plan to take it even further this year, actually buying cards in advance instead of sending them at the last minute. I have a master list of birthdays and I'm ready to go!